Railway traffic controlling apparatus



March 16, 1937. 'LV'LEWIS 2,073,748

RAILWAY TRAFFIC CONTROLLING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 16, 1.928 3 Sheets-Sheet l Despatchens Office Pilot IZZIK L Y 1 2' i 5 .9 (KL eta 11$,

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March 16, 1937. L. v. LEWIS 2,073,748

RAILWAY TRAFFIC CONTROLLING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 16, 1928 3 Sheets-$heet 2 IIIIIIZV IZY H 187 IZX ' INVENTORl L.,l "/\,ew1' 7 March 16, 1937. L. v. LEWIS A 2,073,748

RAILWAY TRAFFIC CONTROLLING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 16, 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 7ZXIII IIIIFZV 7 ll 72 l 9 INVENTOR A M'A Wi s,

Patented Mar. 16, 1937 UNITED STATES smear err-ups RAILWAY TRAFFIC CONTROLLING APPA- RATUS Lloyd V. Lewis, Edgewood, Pa., assignor to The Union Switch & Signal Company, Swissvale, Pa., 9. corporation of Pennsylvania Application" February is, 1928, Serial No. 254,689

82 Claims. (01. 2463) 5' mote point, such for example, as a train dispatchers office, and for also indicating the con- "ditions of such devices at said office.

The apparatus of my invention is particularly adapted for use in centralized traffic control 10 systems for railroads, and is an improvement over that disclosed in a copending application'Serial No. 254,684, filed Feb. 16, 1928, by Clarence S. Snavely,for Railway traffic controlling apparatus, and also upon that disclosed in a copend- 15 ing application Serial No. 362,948, filed May 14,

1929, by the said Clarence S. Snavely, for Bemote controlling apparatus.

I will describe one form and arrangement of railway traffic controlling apparatus embodying O my invention, and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figs. 1, 2, and 3, when placed end to end in the order named with Fig. 1 on the left, comprise adiagrammatic 5 view illustrating one form of railway traffic controlling apparatus embodying my invention.

Referring to the drawings, the apparatus embodying my invention includes a master synchronous selector located at a control point such for example as the dispatchers ofiice and illustrated on Fig. 1 of the drawings. This equipment is connected by means of four line wires with a plurality of way station synchronous selectors located at spaced stations along a stretch '3 of trackway. These selectors by their synchronous operation serve to establish sequentially a series of intermittently available message channels for communication between the office and the several stations. In the form here shown, 9 the system is designed for controlling apparatus located at seven stations, but this number is not essential.

In general terms, the apparatus comprises a pole-changer relay located at the dispatchers office which is effective when operated to send a succession of impulses over a stepping line circuit comprising two of the line wires to all of the stations simultaneously. Located at the ofiice is a series of stepping or counting relays, and a similar series of counting relays is located at each station. When the pole changer relay is operated, the counting relays at the office and at each of the stations are successively energized in synchronism and these counting relays are arranged 5 to successively connect controlling and indican each of the stations.

ing apparatus at the several stations with corresponding apparatus attheofiice over message circuits including certain of the line wires, and hence serve as channel selecting relays. The

controlling and indicating apparatus located at each station may co-operate with trafiic governing devices of any suitable type but as here shown the system is intendedfor controlling railway switches and signals and for returning to the control oflice indications of the conditions of the switches and the associated track sections at the several stations.

Referring now more in detail to the apparatus shown, the reference character Q designates a pole changer relay comprising a pair of stepping windings 6 and I and anarmature 8 arranged to be swung in one direction or the other depending upon which of the associated windings is energized. Relay Q is controlled by a relay T in such manner that when relay T is de-energized, current flows from terminal 3: of a suitable source of energy not shown in the drawings, through back contact 9 of relay T wires l0 and H, and winding 6 of relay Q to terminal y of the same source. When relay T is de-energized,

therefore, winding 6 of relay Q is constantly supplied With energy and armature 8 of the relay is swung to the left. When relay T becomes energized, however, terminal an" is connected with the polar contactlZ of relay Q over front contact 9 of relay T Under these conditions, if the armature 8 occupies its left-hand position, current is supplied to winding 7 of relay Q. As a result, the armature 8 swings to the right,

thereby interrupting the circuit for winding 1 and closing the circuit for winding 6, whereupon the relay swings its armature back to the left and again establishes the circuit for winding 1. It follows that with relay T energized, the relay Q operates continuously. 'to swing its contacts alternately toone extreme position or the other. The pole changer relay Q controls a bank of office counting relays each designated by the reference character OM With a distinguishing sufiix. The operation of the relays OM will be described in detail hereinafter.

Associated with relay T is a relay T which is arranged when energized to connect polar armature 13 of relay Q with a stepping line wire l4 over front contact 15 of relay T The line wire M together with line wires I6, I! and I8 extend throughout the system and communicate with The relays T and '1'. are controlled by a line relay L in such manner that when relay L is de-energized, current flows from terminal a", through back contact I9 of relay L, through winding of relay T directly to terminal y". Current also flows from terminal ac, through back contact I9 of relay L and winding of relay T to terminal y over back contact 20 of relay M8.

The control office is also provided with a starting relay OP and a transfer relay OB, the operation'of which will be apparent as the description proceeds. The reference character 2| designates a pilot lamp which is arranged to be energized when back contact 22 of relay T is closed to indicate that the apparatus occupies its normal position.

Located also at the control office are a plurality of panels one corresponding to each station which is controlled from the ofiice. Each panel is designated by a number which corresponds to the number of the station associated therewith, panel number I corresponding to station number I, being the only panel which is illustrated complete in the drawings. Each panel is provided with certain equipment which will be referred to in detail hereinafter.

Located at each station is a set of equipment comprising a synchronous selector which at times is controlled over the stepping line wire I4 to establish communication with the office over the message line wires I6 and I1 and the common return wire I8, the equipment located at stations I and I only being shown complete in the drawings to illustrate the invention. Each station is provided with a centrally biased three position polarized line relay each designated by the reference character D with a prefix corresponding to the location. Each relay D is arranged when deenergized to occupy an intermediate position and to respond to current of one polarity or the other to swing its cont-act in one direction or the other. Each relay D controls a bank of counting relays similar to the counting relays at the dispatchers office and each designated by the reference character M with a prefix corresponding to the location and a distinguishing suffix. Certain other relays are located at each station and are arranged to operate in a manner which I will describe in detail when I explain the operation of the apparatus as a whole.

It should be noted that line wire I8 is a common wire for the office and all stations, and that this wire is connected with the midpoints of a plurality of line batteries one at the office and one at each station and each designated by the reference character Z with a prefix corresponding to the location. In order to simplify the drawings, I have designated the terminals of each line battery by a reference character comprising the reference character of the battery and the suffix X or Y for the positive and negative terminals, respectively. In addition each station is provided with a local battery not shown in the drawings but having terminals designated by the reference characters at and 'J with appropriate distinguishing exponents corresponding to the location.

The equipment at each station also comprises a switch control relay designated by the reference character W with a prefix corresponding to the location and three signal control relays designated by the reference characters H, F and G, respectively, with suitable distinguishing prefixes. Each station is further provided with a track detector relayand a switch detector relay designated by reference characters RA and WA, re-

spectively, with prefixes corresponding to the locations.

The equipment at each station is arranged to control traffic governing apparatus which in the form here shown comprises a switch 3 for con necting a siding 4 with a main track, the rails I and I of which are divided by means of insulated joints 2 to form a track section including each such switch. Referring particularly to the apparatus located at station I, the section a--b is provided with a track relay designated by the reference character IR connected across the rails adjacent one end of the section. A track battery connected across the rails adjacent the opposite end of the section normally energizes relay IR but this relay is deenergized when a train occupies the section. The rails of the siding 4 adjacent the switch 3 are connected with the rails of section a--b in accordance with the usual practice so that a train occupying a siding 4 to the left of point D will also de-energize relay IR.

The switch 3 at station I is operated by a motor IE comprising an armature 28 and a field 29. The motor IE is controlled in part by the switch control relay IW and by a circuit controller IC comprising a plurality of double throw contactors each comprising a. movable member cooperating with two stationary contacts and controlled in accordance with the position occupied by the switch. When the switch occupies its normal position, in which it is illustrated in the drawings, contacts 38-38% 31-31, 36-36 and 3535 are closed. When the switch is reversed, however, contacts 38-38 31-3'I 363I5 and %535 are closed. Furthermore, the circuit controller IC comprises a contact 2424 which is closed at all times except when the switch occupies its reverse position, and a second contact 2424 which is closed at all times except when the switch occupies its normal position.

Relays RK, WK, RA, WA, W, F and G, are all polarized stick relays of the snap-action type. The armature of each of these relays constitutes a double-throw contactor cooperating with two stationary contacts, and these relays are constructed in such manner that their armatures remain in the positions to which they were last moved until they are positively moved in the opposite direction. In discussing each of these relays, I will consider the relay to be energized in its normal direction when the armature of the relay is swung to the right, and in the reverse direction when the armature is swung to the left.

In describing the operation of the apparatus as a whole, it should be pointed out that as shown in the drawings, the sections of track associated with stations I and I are unoccupied and it is assumed that the apparatus located at the remaining stations is similar in all respects to the apparatus located at stations I and I. The track switches 3 located at each station occupy their normal positions and all polarized stick relays have been energized in their normal directions, so that relays RA are in agreement with the normally energized track relays R and relays WA are in agreement with the track switches 3. The polarized line relays D are de-energized so that the polar armatures of these relays occupy intermediate positions. All relays at each station are de-energized except the relay S at each station. Referring particularly to the apparatus located at station I, relay IS is held energized by current which flows from terminal 0: over back contact 49 of relay I U, wire H5, and relay IS to terminal y In similar manner, the relay S associated 20 line wire I8.

with each of the remaining stations is energized over a corresponding back contact of the relay U I at such station.

At the dispatchers oiiice, all relays are de- 5 energized except relays Q and L. As has. already been explained, since relay T is de-energized, winding 6 of relay Q is continuously energized so that'the armature contacts of this relay are swung to the left. Furthermore, relay L is 10 held energized over a normally closed line circuit which may be traced from terminal OZX of line battery OZ, through back contact 50 of relay OP, wire 5|, winding ofrelay L, ,wire 52, back contact 53 of relay T to line wire II and thence over a back contact 54 of relay IP at station I, wire 55, back contact 56 of a selector relay IJ located at station I and thence through back contacts of each relay P and each relay J ateach of the remainingstations, returning to battery OZ over Since the relays P and J at each station are now de-energized, the circuit just traced for, relay L is closed and this relay is energized. It should be noted that since relay '1 is de-energized, the circuit for pilot lamp 2| is closed and this lamp is lighted to indicate that the apparatus occupies its normal condition.

If under these conditions, a train enters any of the track sections located at the several stations so that a track relay R is moved to a position out of agreement with its associated relay RA or if any of the switches 3 located at the several stations is reversed, so that its position does not agree with that of the associated relay WA the apparatus is set into operation to indicate at the dispatchers oflice in succession, the condition of all of the track sections and all of the switches associated with the separate sections. In explaining this operation, I will first assume that a train enters section 11-!) at station I. ,40 When this occurs, relay IR becomes de-energized.

Back contact 51 of relay IR then closes to complete a circuit from terminal x over backcontact 51 of relay IR, Wire 58, normal contact 59 of relay IRA, wires 60 and SI, back contact 62 of relay IV, wire 63, and winding of relay IP to terminal y Relay ll? becomes energized, and interrupts, at back contact 54 thereon, the circuit just traced for relay L at the office. When relay L becomes de-energized, the closing of back contact I9 of this relay completes the circuits already traced for relays T and T so that both of these relays become energized. The energization of relay T sets the pole changer relay Q into operation as has already been described. Relay Q thereafter operates as long as relay T remains energized. Furthermore, the closing of front contact 53 of relay T disconnects line wire H from the relay L and connects this line wire with a wire 64. Relay OB at the ofiice is de- 0 energized and under these conditions'the wire 64 is connected over back contact 65 of relay OB with a wire 66 which may be connected with apparatus on each of the control panelswhen the corresponding relay J is energized. The purpose Y of this arrangement will be explained hereinafter. When relay T becomes energized, the opening of backcontact 22 extinguishes the pilot lamp 2 I thereby informing the operator that the appara .tus is functioning to indicate the condition of the 7 apparatus located at the several stations. Furthermore, the closing of front contact 22 of relay T connects terminal :c with the polar armature 61 of relay Q, and the closing of front contact I5 of relay '1 connects the polar armature I3 of 75 relay Q directly with line wire I I. With contact 'ID, and thence through. each of the other polarized line relays D in series and returns by way of line wire IE, front contact I5 of relay T wire 68, and contact I3 of relay Q, to terminal OZY of battery OZ. It follows, therefore, that alternate i l5 operation of relay Q energizes relays D at all of the stations alternatelyin their normal and reverse directions in synchronism with relay Q.

.The relay U associated with each relay D is a two-winding slow release relay which is arranged 20 to be repeatedly energized when the associated relay D is being operated intermittently in response to the operation of the pole changer relay Q. Referring particularly to station I, for example, when armature 69 of relay ID swings to the right, the lower winding of relay IU is connected directly with terminals x and y and when the armature G9 is swung to the left, the upper winding of relay IU is connected with terminals :0 and 11 Due to the slow releasing characteristics 0 of relay I U, however, the relay is maintained in its energized condition during alternate reversals of relay ID., When relay IU is energized, back contact 49 is open to interrupt the circuit previously traced for relay IS. Current flows from ter- -35. minal r however, over back contact 15 of relay IMZ, wire I6, front contact 1! of relay IS, wire I8, and winding of relay IS to terminal 1, Relay IS is therefore stuck up as long as relay IM2 is deenergized. The closing of front contact 49 of (Fig.0 relay IU completes a circuit for relay IV which will be obvious from the drawings, thereby energizing this relay and openingback contact 62 thereon. As a result, relay IP is de-energized, thereby reconnecting line wire I! with wire 55. 51215 It will be remembered that the line relay L at the office was de-energized by the opening of back contact 56 of relay IP. But the reclosing of contact 54 does not energize relay L, because the I circuit for relay L is now open at back contact 5 53 of relay T at the office.

It will be evident therefore that controls or indication may be transmitted over the wire I! only as long as the slow acting relay IU is held energized by the continued operationof the line relay ID. That feature of my invention which relates to the control of receiving apparatus by a slow acting relay in this manner is not claimed herein, but is disclosed and claimed in an application for a patent for an improvement in Railway traf- 60 fic controlling apparatus, Serial No. 254,690, filed by me on the same date as the present application.

The first time that the armature 69 of relay ID swings to the right, current flows from terminal G5 .12 over contact 69 of relay lD,'wires It and 'II, front contact "I2 of relay IS, wires I3, 83, and I4, and winding of relay IMI to terminal 11 Relay I MI thereupon becomes energized and a stick circuit for this relay is then closed from wire 10,; through wires 79 and 80, front contactil! of relay IMI, wires 82 and I4, and'winding of relay IM I to terminal y The relay IMI having once been energized, then, is held in its energized condition as long as the armature 69 of relay ID occupies its right-hand position. When relay I MI is energized, current flows from terminal x over contact 69 of relay ID, wires I0, I9 and 80, front contact 84 of relay IMI, wire 85, and winding of relay IJ to terminal g Relay IJ then becomes energized to close front contacts 56 and 86. It will be manifest from the drawings that line wire I6 is normally closed at station I over back contact 86 of relay IJ. When this relay becomes energized, however, the line wire I6 is connected at station I with a terminal of line battery IZ over a circuit which passes from the line wire through front contact 86 of relay IJ, wire 81, back contact 88 of relay IB, wire 89, winding of relay IRA, wire 9|, and thence to one terminal or the other of battery IZ according as track relay IR is energized or de-energized.

As has already been explained, line wire I1 is normally closed through back contact 54 of relay IP, and back contact 56 of relay IJ at station I. It has further been explained that after the operation of relay ID has commenced, relay IP is deenergized. But relay IJ is now energized and under these conditions line wire I! is connected at station I with a terminal of battery IZ over a circuit which may be traced from the line wire over back contact 54 of relay IP, wire 55, front contact 56 of relay IJ, wire 93, back contact 92 of relay IB, wire I22, winding of relay I WA, wire I 23, and thence with one terminal or the other of line battery IZ according as switch" 3 occupies its normal or reverse position to close contact Elli--36 or 36-36 It will be plain, therefore, that when relay IJ is energized, line wire I5 is connected at station I with positive or negative line battery according as track relay IR is energized or deenergized, respectively. Furthermore, when relay IJ is energized, line wire I! is connected at station I, with positive or negative line battery according as switch 3 at this station occupies its normal or reverse position, respectively.

Returning now to a consideration of the apparatus located at the control office, when the armatures of relay Q first swing to their righthand positions, current flows from terminal :12 over front contact 22 of relay T wires I 24 and I25, contact 61 of relay Q, wires 94 and 95, back contact 96 of relay OS, wire 91, and winding of relay OMI to terminal y. Relay OMI therefore becomes energized and a stick circuit is then closed from wire 94, over wires I and I26, front contact 98 of relay OMI, wires 99 and 99 and winding of relay OMI to terminal 11. Furthermore, current flows from terminal .72 over front contact 22 of relay T wires I24 and I25, contact 61 of relay Q, wires 94, I00, IOI and I02, front contact I03 of relay OMI, wire I04, and winding of a selector relay OJI, to terminal 11. When relay OJ I becomes energized, the closing of front contact I08 of this relay connects line wire I6 at the oilice with the common wire I8 over a circuit which may be traced from line wire I6 through back contact I05 of relay OB, Wires I06 and I0'I, front contact I08 of relay OJ I, wire I09, winding of relay IRK, and wires II 0 and H0 to common wire I8. Since the common wire I8 is connected with the midpoint of line battery IZ at station I, it will be plain that when relay OJ I at the office and relay I J at station I are energized, a message channel is completed from station I to the office over which relay IRA at the station and relay IRK at the oilice are energized in series by current of one polarity or the other, depending upon the condition of energization of relay IR. I

.have assumed that relay IR is now de-energized and under these conditions the polarity of the current supplied to relays IRK and IRA is such that these relays become energized in their reverse direction so that their contacts are swung to the left. The track relay IR thus not only transmits a message to the office of a character which indicates its position, but the character of the message is such as to cause relay IRA to be operated into agreement with the new position of relay IR so as to open at contact 59 that branch of the starting circuit which as already described was closed at contact 51 of relay IR to set the apparatus into operation. The closing of reverse contact 59 of relay IRA has no effect at this time, but the closing of reverse contact II4 of relay IRK connects an indicator lamp II6 with terminals m and y so that this lamp II6 becomes lighted to indicate to the operator the fact that a train now occupies track section a-b at station I.

With relay OJ I energized, front contact II2 of this relay is also closed and under these conditions, wire 66 at the office is connected through wire III, front contact II2 of relay OJ I, Wire II 3, winding of relay IWK and wire IIO to common wire I8. It has already been explained that wire 66 is now connected with line wire I1 and since common wire I8 is connected with the midpoint of line battery IZ, it follows that a second message channel is completed from station I to the office over which current of one relative polarity or the other is supplied to relays IWA and IWK in series, depending upon the position of switch 3 at station I. As shown in the drawings, the switch 3 occupies its normal position so that the positive terminal IZX of line battery IZ is connected with wire I23 at station I, and under these conditions, relays IWA and IWK are energized in the normal direction. The impulse transmitted to'the oflice to operate relay IWK thus operates IWA into agreement with switch 3 in case it does not already occupy such position. With relay IWK energized in the normal direction, current flows from terminal 2:-

over normal contact II! of relay IWK, wire II 8, lamp II9, wire I2I, contact I2'I of a manually operable lever I to terminal y Lamp H9 is therefore lighted to indicate to the operator that switch 3 at station I occupies its normal position.

The impulses delivered to relays IRK and IRA and to relays IWK and I WA during the operations just described persist only during the brief interval that relays ID and Q occupy their righthand positions. But relays IRK and IWK remain in the positions to which they were last moved so that after having once been lighted, lamps H6 and H9 remain lighted to indicate the condition of the apparatus until this condition is changed.

When relay Q next operates to swing its armature 61 to the left, relay 0M2 becomes energized, current flowing from terminal ac", over front contact 22 of relay T wires I24 and I25, contact 61 of relay Q, wires I29 and I30, front contact I3I of relay OMI, wires I32 and I33, and winding of relay 0M2 to terminal 3 As soon as relay 0M2 becomes energized, a stick circuit is closed for this relay from wire I29, through wires I34 and I35, front contact I36 of relay 0M2, wires I31 and I33 and winding of relay 0M2 to terminal y It should be noted that relay 0M2 can become energized only if relay OMI has previously been energized, so that the apparatus affords a continuous check on the proper sequence of operations. .1 When armature 61 of relay Q was swung to the left, the circuits for relays OMI and OJ I were both opened. Relay OJ I immediately becomes de-energized, but relay OMI, due to its slow releasing characteristics, holds its front contacts closed for a brief interval of time sufficiently long to insure that relay 0M2 becomes energized. When front contact I99 of relay 0M2 closes, current flows from terminal m, over front contact 22 of relay T wires I24 and I25, contact 61 of relay Q, wires I29 and I89, back contact I3I of relay OMI, wire I38, front contact I39 of relay 0M2, wire I29, and winding of relay 0J2 to terminal y. It will be plain that this circuit can be completed only after relay OMI has opened. When relay OJ 2 becomes energized, the indication apparatus associated with panel number 2, (not shown in the drawings) is connected with wires 66 and I06, in the same manner as has already been described in connection with the operation of the apparatus on panel numberl when relay OJI is energized.

Since the polarized line relays D located at the several stations operate in synchronism with relay Q, the armature of these line relays occupy their left-hand positions. As a result, relay M2 associated with each such stationis energized, each such relay being provided with a pick-up circuit including a front contact of the associated counting relay MI and a stick circuit including its own front contact. In similar manner, the counting relays M at the office and at each of the stations are energized successively in synchronism in response to operation of relay Q at the office. As each office counting relay becomes energized, a corresponding selector relay J at the oflice is energized to connect the apparatus on the associated panel with the line wires I! and I6. Furthermore, the selector relay J located at eachstation is controlled by a proper one of the relays M at that station in the same manner that relay IJ is controlled by relay MI at station I, so that as the counting relays at the several stations are energized in sequence, the apparatus at panel number I is first connected with the apparatus at station I, the apparatus at panel number 2 is next connected with the apparatus at station number 2 and so on in succession until relays M1 at office and at all of the stations are energized, whereupon relay IJ at station I is energized to connect the apparatus at this station with line wires I1 and I6. At the same time, the energization of relay 0M1 at the office energizes the corresponding relay J associated with panel I (not shown in the drawings). It will be plain therefore that by thus successively operating the counting relays in synchronism, indications are received at the ofiice from all of the stations in order. 60 When relay Q next becomes energized to swing its armatures to the left, relay 0M9 becomes energized and the relays M8 at each of the stations also become energized. The energization of relay 0M8 opens its back contact 29 and thus breaks the circuit for relay T which relay thereupon becomes de-energized. The closing of back contact 9 of relay T discontinues the operation of the relay Q and holds winding 6 of this relay energized so that the contacts of the relay remain in. their left hand positions. At the same time, the closing of back contact 53 of relay T connects line wire I! with relay L, which relay becomes energized over the circuit hereinbefore traced for this relay, over back contact 59 of 7175 relay OP. Relay L thereforebecomes closed, to

open back contact I9 and de-energize relay T The opening of front contact 22 of relay '1 disconnects battery from contact 61 of relay Q and consequently, de-energizes relay OMB. Furthermore, the closing of back contact 22 of relay T lights lamp 2| to indicate that the apparatus has returned to its normal condition.

It should also be pointed out that when front contact I5 of relay T opened, the circuit was interrupted for all of the relays D at the several stations, and these relays assume the positions shown in the drawings. The last relay M8 in each series of counting relays, therefore, becomes de-energized and all of the relays U become deenergized. The closing of a back contact of each relay U completes a pick-up circuit for the associated relay S. Referring particularly to station- I, the opening of front contact 49 of relay IU de-energizes relay IV and allows the back contact 62 of relay IV to close. Relay IP, however, does not become energized, because relay IRA is now reversed and track relay IR is tie-energized. In similar manner, the apparatus located at each of the remaining stations is restored to its normal condition by the de-energization of relay U at such station and the consequent de-energization of relay V associated therewith.

With the apparatus thus far described, it will be apparent that when any change occurs in thecondition of a track section or the position of a switch at any of the stations, this change results in the energization of the starting relay P at such station. The equipment is then set into operation and continues without interruption to transmit to the office an indication of the condition of the apparatus at each of the stations, at the conclusion of which function the entire system is returned to its normal condition preparatory to transmitting indications of other changes.

In addition to the function of indication, it is desirable to enable the operator to selectively change the positions of the switches or signals located adjacent the several stations. In explaining the operation of the apparatus for this purpose, I will first assume that the operator wishes to reverse switch 3 and to place the signals at stop at station I. To accomplish this result, he moves lever I on panel number I to the left, thereby extinguishing lamp H9 and moving contact I28 to its-left-hand position. He also moves lever I to its middle position. The operator then closes the master key 1*, so that current flows from terminal 3:, through back contact 22 of relay T wire I49, master key 1*, wire I59, and winding of relay OP to terminal y Relay OP therefore becomes energized and the master key 1* may then be released, relay OP remaining energized by virtue of a stick circuit which may be traced from terminal at through back contact I5! of relay OB, wire I52, front contact I53 of relay OP, and winding of relay OP to terminal y. The opening of back contact 59 of relay OP interrupts the line circuit including relay L, whereupon this relay becomes effective to set the apparatusinto operation in exactly the same manner as if relay L had been de-energized by opening line wire H at one of the stations for the purpose of transmitting a change of indication to the ofiice. The relay Q therefore operates to energize in synchronism the relays M at the several stations and an indication is received from each of the stations in turn on the panels in the control office. The operation is precisely the same as has already been described point no further explanation is necessary.

At the office, relay OP is now energized and when relay M8 picks up to break the back contact 20 of this relay, relay T does not become de-energized, but remains closed because a branch is now completed around back contact 20 of relay 0M8 over front contact I54 of relay OP. The relay T therefore remains in its energized condition and the relay Q continues to operate. When contact 61 of relay Q next swings to the right, current from terminal :r flows over front contact 22 of relay T Wires I24 and I25, contact 61 of relay Q, wires 94, I90, IElI and I55, thence over front contact I56 of relay 0M8, wires I51 and 99 and winding of relay OMI to terminal y". Relay OMI therefore becomes energized and is subsequently stuck up over its own front contact 98 even after relay 0M8 releases.

When relay 0M2 became energized during the first cycle of operation of the counting relays a circuit was closed for relay OS from terminal 9:, over front contact I M of relay 0M2, wires I42 and I43, and winding of relay OS. This relay OS is susbequently stuck up over its own front contact I45 and front contact 22 of relay T Under these conditions, when front contact I66 of relay OMI becomes energized current flows from terminal x over front contact 22 of relay T wires I24 and I25, contact 61 of relay Q, wires 94 and 95, front contact 96 of relay OS, wire I61, front contact 66 of relay OMI, wire I68, front contact I69 of relay OP, wire I10, and winding of relay OB to terminal 11 This circuit is interrupted as soon as relay OMI becomes de-energized but relay OB is subsequently maintained in its energized condition by virtue of a stick circuit which may be traced from terminal 32, over back contact I9 of the relay L, wire I1I, front contact I12 of relay OB, and winding of relay OB to terminal y When relay OMI is energized, relay OJ I becomes energized as was described hereinbefore but the energization of this relay now connects the line wires I6 and I1 with levers I d and I instead of with the indicating relays IRK and IWK. For example, when front contact I58 of relay OJ I closes, a circuit is completed from line wire I6 through front contact I05 of relay OB, wires I59 and I69, front contact I58 of relay OJ I, wire I6I and contact I28 of lever I (now reversed) to terminal OZY of line battery OZ. In similar manner, line wire I1 is connected through front contact 53 of relay T wire 64, front contact 65 of relay OB, wires I62 and I63, front contact I64 of relay OJI, and wire I65 to lever I Since this lever is now in its middle position, the line wire I1 is now disconnected from battery.

At station I, the relay ID continues to operate after relay IM8 has become energized and when the armature 69 of relay ID next swings to the right, current flows from terminal 12 over contact 69 of relay ID, wires 10, 19, and I12 and thence over front contact I13 of relay IM8, wires I14, 83 and 14, and winding of relay I MI to terminal r y Relay IMI therefore becomes energized, even though relay IS is now de-energized so that the pick-up circuit first traced for relay IMI is open. As the operation of relay ID continues, relays M at station I are energized in the same manner as described in connection with the transmission of indications from the stations to the office. When relay IMI becomes energized, since relay IS was de-energized when back contact 15 of relay IM2 became open during the first cycle of operation of the counting relays to break the 2,073,748 until relays M8 become energized and up to this stick circuit for relay IS, current flows from ter-' minal x over back contact I15 of relay IS, wire I16, front contact I11 of relay IMI, wires I18 and I 19, and winding of relay IE to terminal y Relay IB therefore becomes energized and is subsequently maintained in its energized condition by virtue of a stick circuit which passes from terminal x over front contact 49 of relay IU, wires I80 and I8I, front contact I82 of relay IB, wires I83 and I19, and winding of relay I B to terminal 11 It should also be pointed out that the energization of relay I M I picks up relay I J and with this relay energized, line wire I6 is connected through front contact 86 of relay IJ, wire 81,

front contact 88 of relay IB, wire I84, winding of relay IW, and wire I85 to common wire I8, and thence to the midpoint of line battery OZ at the ofiice.

From the foregoing explanation, it will be seen that when relay OJ I at the ofiice and relay IJ at station I are both energized, relay IW is supplied with current of one polarity or the other over wires I6 and I 8, according as lever I occupies its normal or reverse position. I have assumed that lever I now occupies its left-hand or reverse position, and under these conditions the polarity of the current supplied to relay IW is such that this relay becomes energized in the reverse direction, swinging its contacts to the left. When this happens motor IE is energized by current which flows from terminal .12 over front contact 44 of relay iR, wire 23, contact 2424 of circuit controller IC, wire 25, reverse contact 26 of relay IW, wire 21, armature 28 of motor IE, wire 30, reverse contact 3| of relay IW, wire 32,

and field 29 of motor IE to terminal 11/ The motor IE is therefore energized to drive switch 3 toward its reverse position. When the switch attains its full reverse position, contact 24-24 opens, thereby de-energizing the motor. It should be noted that when the switch reverses, contacts -35 and 3636 are closed so that when next these contacts are connected with the line wires to indicate at the office the condition of the apparatus at the station I, the relay I WK will become energized in its reverse direction to light lamp I20 and indicate that the switch 3 at station I is reversed. The operation of the apparatus in moving a switch from its reverse to its normal position will be understood without further explanation. It should also be pointed out that when relay IJ becomes energized, with relay IB energized, line wire I1 is connected over back contact 54 of relay IP, wire 55, front contact 56 of relay i J, wire 93, front contact 92 of relay IB, wire I86, winding of relay IH, wire I81, winding of relay IF and wire I88 with line wire I8, back to the midpoint of line battery OZ at the office.

It follows, therefore, that when relays OJ I IB,

and !J are energized, relays IH and IF are supplied in series with current of one polarity or the other over line wires I6 and I8, depending upon the position of lever I on panel number I at the office. I have assumed, however, that lever I occupies its middle position. Under these conditions, relays IH and IF are both de-energized. When relay IJ becomes energized, however, a circuit is closed from terminal 22 over front contact 89 of relay IJ, wire I90, front contact I9I of relay IB, wire I92, back contact I93 of relay IH, wire I94, lower Winding of relay IG to terminal y Current flowing over this circuit energizes relay I G in the reverse direction to open contact 40. Had relay IH been energized,

ciirrent would have flowed .over the circuit just traced, through front contact I93 of relay H and wire I95 through the upper winding of relay I G to terminal y thereby energizing relay IG in the normal direction and holding contact 40 closed.

The movement of traffic from left to right over the switch at each station is controlled by a signal designated by the reference character t with an exponent corresponding to the location. The movement of traflic in the opposite direction over each switch is governed by two signals u and o with exponents corresponding to the location. Theupper blades of the signals 1? and their opposing signals 1; aremain signals governing traific movements over the main track with switch 3 normal, as shown, while the lower arms of the signals 25 and their opposing signals u are auxiliary signals for governing traffic movements into and out of the sidings. The signals u and 1; which govern the movement of traffic into the single track stretch to the left of switch 3 are commonly referred to as starting signals while the opposing signal 13 may be called a leaving signal.

' Referring particularly to the apparatus located at station I, the signals associatedwith switch 3 at this station are controlled jointly by relays IG and IF. As has already been explained, since lever I at the control office occupies its middle position, contact 40 of relay IG is now open. The operating circuits for all of the signals are therefore interrupted and the signals indicate stop. As shown in the drawings, however, relays.

both energized in the normal direction as when lever I occupies its right-hand position, and when switch 3 occupies its normal position. If the operator moves his lever I to the left-hand position, relay IF will be energized in the reverse direction when relays IJ and OJ I become energized but since relay IH becomes closed, relay IG is energized in the normal direction, and current,

then flows from terminal 33 over front contact 34 of relay IR, wire 39, normal contact 40 of relay IG, wire 4|, reverse contact 42 of relay IF, wire 46, contact lib-31 of circuit controller 10, wire 41, operating mechanism of signal '0 to terminal g When this circuit is closed, signal indicates proceed. In similar manner, if switch 3 is reversed, the lower blade of signal t or signal u is cleared, according as relay IF is energized in the normal or reverse direction.

It should, of course, be pointed out that the levers I and I could be mechanically interlocked to prevent clearing a signal until the switch had been moved to an extreme position. Furthermore,

In the foregoing description I have referred particularly to the apparatus associated with ratus located at station I. It should be understood however, that each of the remaining panels at the oflice is provided with apparatus which operates in the same manner as has already been described in connection with panel number I. Furthermore, the operation of the apparatus located at the remaining stations is similar in all respects to the operation of the apparatus located at station I, with the single exception that since the relays J become energized in succession during the second cycle of operations of the counter relays, it follows that the switch control relays W and the signal control relays H, F and G at thev several stations are successively placed under the control of the switch and signal levers located at the ofiice.

At the office, when relay 0M8 becomes energized, during this second cycle of operation of the counting relays, the opening of back contact 20 of this relay interrupts one circuit for relay T The other circuit for this relay is now open at back contact I54 of relay OP, the latter relay being de-energized, because its stick circuit through back contact I 5| of relay OB is now open, relay OB having been energized when relay OMI became energized. The closing of relay 0M8 therefore de-energizes relay T and connects line relay L with line wire I'I. If this line wire, I1 is closed at all stations, that is, if all relays P and. J at the several stations are de-energized, relay L becomes energized, thereby dropping 'I and OB to restore the apparatus to its normal condition. If, however, the condition of the apparatus at any station has been changed, as would have been the case had switch 3 at station I been reversed in accordance with the preceding description, relay L would remain de-energized and the relay OMI would again become energized to commence a third cycle of the operation of the counting relays at the ofiice. During this third cycle of operation, indications would be received concerning the condition of the apparatus at the several stations, thereby registering any change in the condition of the switches or track circuits.

Returning now to the assumption that relay I M8 at station I has been energized at the completion of the cycle of energization of relays M at this station, during which cycle control impulses were delivered to the several stations for governing the switch control relays and signal control relays; when relay ID becomes de-energized due to the stopping of relay Q, relay IU becomes de-energized, thereby de-energizing relay I B and picking up relay IS to restore the apparatus to the normal condition. The operation of the apparatus at each of the remaining stations is similar to that just described in connection with station I.

To recapitu ate the operation of the system, I will first assume that all parts are in the conditions in which they are illustrated in the drawings, and. that a train moving toward the right enters track section ab at station I. Track relay IR will open, therebycausing relay IP to become energized, and this will interrupt the circuit 'for relay L at the dispatchers ofiice. The opening of relay L will close the circuits for relays T and T The closing of relay T will set pole changer relay Q into operation, and will connect line wire I I with wire 64 instead of with relay L. Relay T will extin'guishthe pilot lamp 2|,1will connect line wire I4 with armature contact I3 of relay Q, and will connect contact 67 of this relay with battery terminal m at each station I to I will then be operated in Relay D unison with relay Q. Relay U at each station will close as soon as its associated D relay begins to operate, and will remain closed as long as such operation continues. The closing of each U relay will close the associated V relay, and this will open the associated P relay, but the opening of relay IP will not close relay L because the circuit for the latter will now be open at contact 53 of relay T When armature 69 of relay ID swings to the right, relay IMI will close, and this will energize relay IJ, which will serve to connect line wire I6 with battery terminal IZY through the back contact of track relay IR. Line wire I! will now be connected with battery terminal IZX at station I through switch contact 36 and relay IWA.

At the dispatchers oflice, when the armature of relay Q swings to the right, it will close relay OMI, and this will close relay OJ I. With relay OJ I at the ofiice and relay IJ at station I both energized, relay IRA and relay IRK will be connected in series, and since relay IR is open, these polar relays will be energized in the reverse direction. The indicator lamp II6 will then become lighted to indicate that the track section at station I is occupied.

The closing of relay OJ I will also connect relays IWK and IWA in series, the polarity of the current supplied to them depending on the position of switch 3 at station I, and since this switch is in normal position, lamp I I9 will remain lighted to indicate this fact.

When relay Q next swings its armature to the left, relay 0M2 will become energized. Relays OMI and OJ I will now be open, and relay 0J2 will close. This will connect wires I6 and II with the apparatus on panel No. 2. Relay M2 at each station will now close, and each relay MI will open. At station 2 (not shown) relay J will become closed due to the closing of its associated relay M and so relays RK and WK on panel No. 2 will become energized to indicate the conditions of the track circuit and switch at station 3. As the operation of relay Q continues, the

panel relays OJ will be successively closed, and the stations will be successively connected with the panels, until relays 0M8, IM8, etc., become closed. The closing of relay 0M8 will cause relay T to open, and this will stop the operation of relay Q and will close relay L which in turn will cause relay T to open. The opening of relay '1 will cause relay 0M8 to open, and it will also open the circuit for the D relays. All of the M8 relays will then open, the U relays open, the S relays will close, and the V relay will open, so

that the indicating apparatus will be restored to its normal condition.

Assuming now that the operator wishes to reverse switch 3 at station I, he will reverse lever I move lever I to the middle position, and close the master key 1'. The closing of the master key will cause relay OP to become energized, and this will open the circuit for relay L, so that the apparatus will be set into operation to successively energize the M relays at the oflice and at all the stations. These counting relays will go through a complete cycle of operations, but when the cycle is completed the relay T at the oifice will remain closed due to its stick circuit through contact I54 of relay OP, and so the counting relays will begin a second cycle. During the first cycle, when relay 0M2 became closed, it caused relay OS to close, so that when relay OM I closes during the second cycle it will cause relay OB to become closed. Relay OJ I will become closed at the same time, but since relay 013 is closed, line wires I6 and I1 will now be connected with lever contact I 28 and lever I respectively instead 01 with the indication relays IRK and IWK. At station I, when relay IMI closes during the second cycle, relay IE will close and remain closed, and relay IJ will also close. A circuit is then closed including contact I 28 in the oifice panel, line wire I 6, relay IW at station I, and line wire I8; and since contact I28 is reversed, relay I W will reverse and so will cause switch 3 at station I to reverse. With relays IJ and IB both closed, and relay IH open, the lower winding of relay IG will be energized to open contact 40 and so to place the lower arm of signal t at stop before the switch reverses. If the operator leaves contact I in the normal position, relay IH will be energized to cause the upper winding of relay IG to be energized and so to close contact 40, while relay IF will be energized in the normal direction. When the switch 3 reverses, then, the lower arm of signal t will be cleared. If the operator reverses contact I relay I will be energized in the reverse direction so that when switch 3 reverses, signal 11. will be cleared.

When relay 0M8 at the oflice becomes closed at the end of the second cycle of operations, it will cause relays T and T to open, and this will result in all parts of the apparatus being restored to normal condition except of course that switch 3 at station I will be reversed.

In conclusion it should be mentioned that with apparatus embodying my invention, I have provided means for controlling apparatus located at a plurality of spaced stations, from a control ofiice over four line wires, and for receiving at the oflice indications of the condition of the apparatus located at such stations over the same four line wires. Furthermore, I accomplish these results by means of several chains of counting relays, one chain located at the dispatchers office and one chain located at each station, the several relays of all said chains being successively energized in synchronism to aiTord a continuous check on the proper and accurate operation of the apparatus at all stages in its cycle.

Although I have herein shown and described only one form of railway traffic controlling apparatus embodying my invention, it is understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. Railway trafiic controlling apparatus comprising a plurality of trafiic governing devices located at intervals along the trackway, a plurality of polarized relays one adjacent each such device, a normally open circuit including all such polarized relays in series, a plurality of indication relays one for each device all located at a control point and each responsive to the character of the current supplied thereto, a pair of line wires, means set into operation when the condition of any of said devices is changed for supplying said circuit with a predetermined number of energy impulses of alternately reversed polarity to operate said polarized relays in unison, means for successively connecting said indication relays with said line wires for a brief interval of time, and means controlled by each said polarized relay and effective during the interval that the associated indication relay is connected with said line wires to supply the line wires with an impulse of energy the character of which depends upon the condition of the device. 7

2. Railway traffic controlling apparatus comprising a plurality of trafiic governing devices located at intervals along the trackway, a plurality of polarized control relays one for each device, means governed. by each control relay for moving the associated device to one or the other of two positions according as such control relay is energized in one direction or the other, a plurality of polarized line relays one associated with each device, a plurality of manually operable levers all located at a control point, a manually operable master key, means set into operation when said master key is operated for supplying said line relays in series with apredetermined number of impulses of energy of alternately reversed polarity, a pair of line wires,means controlled by said line relays for connecting said control relays with said line wires for a brief interval of time in a predetermined sequence, and means locatedat said control point for supplying said line Wires during each such interval with an impulse of energy of one polarity or the other depending upon the position of the lever associated with the control relay then connected with the line wires.

3. Railway traflic controlling apparatus coniprising a polarized pole changer relay, manually operable means for setting said pole changer relay into operation, a series of counting relays, means responsive to operation of said pole changer relay to energize said counting relays in succession in such manner that each relay opens after the succeeding relay in the series becomes energized, means controlled by the last relay in said series for stopping said pole changer relay, a group of selector relays one for each relay except the last in said series, a circuit for the first selectorrelay in said group including a front contact of the first counting relay in said series, a circuit for each remaining selector relay in said group including a front contact of the associated counting relay and a back contact of the preceding counting relay, a pair of line wires, a

plurality of manually operable levers one associated with each selector relay in said group, means efiective when any selector relay in said group is energized to supply said line wires with an energy impulse of one polarity or the other according to the position of the associated lever, a plurality of other selector relays located at spaced points, means responsive to operation of said pole changer relay for energizing said other selector relays in a predetermined order, a polarized control relay associated with each of said other selector relays, means for .connecting each control relay with said line wires when the associated selector relay is energized, and a plurality of traffic governing devices one controlled by each said control relay;

4. Railway trafiic controlling apparatus comprising a polarized pole changer relay, manually operable means for setting'said pole changer relay into operation, a series of counting relays,

means responsive to operation of said pole changer relay to energize said counting relays in succession in such manner that each relay opens after the succeeding relay in the series becomes energized, means controlled by the last relay in said series for stopping said pole changer relay, 7

a group ,of selector relays one, for each counting relay except the last in said series, a circuit for the first selector relay in said group including a front contact of the first counting relay in said series, a circuit for each remaining selector relay in said group including a front contact of the associated counting relay and a back contact of the preceding counting relay, and a plurality of spaced traffic governing devices selectively controlled by said selector relays.

5. In combination with an ofiice and a plurality of stations, a linerelay at each station, a normally open line circuit extending from the ofiice to each station and including all said line relays, apparatus operating when actuated'to close said line circuit and deliver to said line circuit a series of current impulses for operating said line relays, a chain of relays atthe-ofiice operated in succession by said apparatus, other chains of relays one at each station, means controlled by each line relay for operating the relays of the associated chain successively and in synchronism with the chain at the office, and means for actuating said apparatus from the office or from any station.

6. In'combination with an ofilce and a plurality of stations, a first seriesof contacts at the ofiice, additional series of contacts at each station, a normally closed line circuit extending from the office to each station, means eifective when said line circuit is opened to operate the contacts of all said series successively and in synchronism means at the office and at each station for opening said line circuit, a plurality of movable devices associated with said first series, a plurality of series of electroresponsive devices one such series associated with each additional series of contacts, a second line. circuit extending from said ofilce to each station, means for supplying current of a.

selected character to said second line circuit under the control of a particular one of said movable devices when the corresponding contact of said first series is operated, and means for connecting a particular one of said electroresponsive devices with said second line circuit when the corresponding contact of the associated series is operated, the electroresponsive devices being so line circuit is opened to operate the contacts of all said series successively and in synchronism,

' means at the ofiice and at each station for opening said line circuit, a plurality of electroresponsive devices one associated with each contact of said first series, a plurality of movable devices at least one located at each station, a second line circuit extending from said ofiice to each station, means operating when any contact of said first series is operated for connecting a selected one of said electroresponsive devices with said second line circuit, and means controlled by the additional series of contacts at each station for supplying said second line circuit with current under the control of a selected one of said movable devices when a corresponding one of said electroresponsive devices is connected with said second line circuit.

8. In combination with an ofiice comprising a relay L, and a plurality of stations each having a movable device 36, a relay WA normally coinciding with the position of the corresponding device, and a relay P, a normally closed line circuit extending from the ofiice to each station and including relay L and the back contact of a relay P at each station, means operating when any device 36 moves out of agreement with the corresponding relay WA to energize the adjacent relay P, stepping means at each station operated in sequence following the opening of said line circuit, apparatus at each station effective while such stepping means is operating to deenergize the associated relay P, indicating means controlled by the stepping means at each station for delivering to the ofiice from each station in order through the associated relay WA an impulse which operates such relay WA into agreement with the corresponding device 36, and means for again closing said line circuit after the operation of the last stepping means provided all relays WA correspond to the associated devices 36.

9. In combination with a chain of counting relays, two conductors, a source of energy having one terminal connected with one terminal of each of said relays, means for connecting the free terminal of said source with said two conductors alternately, means for at times connecting the remaining terminal of the first relay in said series with one of said conductors, means for connecting the free terminals of succeeding relays alternately with said conductors each over a front contact of the preceding relay in said chain, and means effective when any relay is energized for connecting its said remaining terminal with the conductor from which energy was supplied to pick up the relay.

10. In combination with an office and a station, two chains of counting relays one at the office and one at the station, an additional relay at the office, a second relay, means controlled from the office or the station for controlling said second relay, means controlled by said second relay for energizing said additional relay, apparatus effective when said additional relay is energized to operate the relays of said counting chains successively and in synchronism, and means controlled by the last relay of the office counting chain for deenergizing said additional relay.

11. In combination with an office and a plurality of stations, a chain of counting relays at the ofiice and at each station, a starting relay at the office, means for controlling said starting relay from any station, an additional relay at the office having a pick-up circuit controlled by said starting relay, a stick circuit for said additional relay controlled by the last relay of the office counting chain, and means controlled by said additional relay for operating the relays of said counting chains successively and in synchronism.

12. In combination with an oflice and a plurality of stations, a line wire extending from said ofiice through all said stations, a starting relay normally controlled over said line wire and arranged to be operated from any station, means effective when said starting relay is operated to disconnect said starting relay from said line wire and to transmit signals over said line Wire between said office and said stations successively.

13. In combination, an office and a station connected by a line circuit, a normally open contact in said circuit at the office, a line relay in said circuit at the station, means controlled from said station for at times closing said normally open contact and for subsequently supplying current intermittently to said line circuit, and stepping means at said station operated progressively in response to intermittent operation of said line relay.

14. In combination with an office and a plurality of stations connected by a line circuit, a normally open contact in said line circuit at the office, a plurality of line relays one at each station and all included in series in said line circuit, means controlled from any station for at times closing said normally open contact, transmitting means effective when said contact is closed for supplying said line circuit intermittently with current, stepping means at the office operated progressively by said transmitting means, stepping means at each station operated by the associated line relay in synchronism with the office stepping means, and means controlled by said stepping means for communicating between said office and said stations.

15. In combination with an office and a plurality of stations connected by a line circuit, a normally open contact in said line circuit at the oifice, a plurality of line relays one at each station and all included in series in said line circuit, means controlled from the office or from any station for at times closing said contact, means operating when said contact is closed to supply said line circuit with a series of current impulses for operating all said line relays in synchronism, and means effective upon the conclusion of said series of impulses for again opening said contact.

16. In a train dispatching system of the synchronous selector type; the combination With a selector system including a message channel rendered available momentarily once during each cycle of operation of such system, a dispatchers office at one end of said message channel and a way station at the other end of said message channel, a lever at the dispatchers oiiice, indicating means at the dispatchers office, electroresponsive control means at said way station, means for controlling said electro-responsive means in response to a change of the position of said lever and over said message channel, and means for controlling said indicating means responsive to the continuity of said message channel during the time said message channel is available for use.

17. In a train dispatching system of the synchronous selector type; the combination with a selector system including a message channel rendered available momentarily once during each cycle of operation of such system, a dispatchers ofiice at one end of said message channel and a way station at the other end of said message channel, a lever at the dispatchers oilice, indicating means at the dispatchers office, electroresponsive control means at said Way station, means for controlling said electro-responsive means in response to a change of the position of said lever and over said message channel, and means for controlling said indicating means including a relay of the snap-action type included in said message channel.

18. In a train dispatching system of the synchronous selector wayside signal control type, the combination with a dispatchers oilice and a plurality of way stations along the railway track, of a master synchronous selector at the dispatchers oifice, a wayside synchronous selector distributed along the railway track, stepping means for operating said synchronous selectors in synchronism to successively complete a large number of message circuits, there being only one track indication message circuit and at least one control message circuit for each way station,

saidstepping means including means for at times setting up successively said indication message circuits only and at other times setting up said indication message circuits and said control message circuits sequentially. V V

19. In a train dispatching system of the synchronous selector wayside signal control type, the combination wtih a dispatchers office and a plurality of way stations along the railway track, of a master synchronous selector at the dispatchers office, a wayside synchronous selector distributed along the railway track, stepping means for operating said synchronous selectors in synchronism to successively complete a large number of message circuits, there being only one track indication message circuit and at least one control message circuit for each way station, said stepping means including means for at times omitting some of said control circuits but not omitting any of said indication message circuits.

20. A synchronous selector of the counting relay type comprising; a line relay; a plurality of channel selecting relays arranged in order a pick-up circuit for each odd numbered channel selecting relay including a front contactv of the next preceding channel selecting relay, and a contact of said line' relay closed when it assumes one extreme position; a pick-up circuit for each even numbered channel selecting relay including a front contact of the next preceding channel selecting relay, and a contact of said line relay closed when it assumes the other extreme position; and a stick circuit for each channel selecting relay including ts own front contact and a contact opened upon the next change in the position of said line relay.

21. A synchronous selectorof the counting relay type comprising; a polar line relay; a plurality of channel selecting relays arranged in order; a pick-up circuit for each odd numbered channel selecting relay including a front contact of the next preceding channel selecting relay and a contact of said line relay closed when it assumes one polar position; a pick-up circuit for each even numbered channel selecting relay including a front contact of the next preceding channel selecting relay and a contact of said line relay closed when it assumes the other polar position; and a stick circuit for each channel selecting relay including its own front contact and a contact opened upon the next change in the position of said line relay.

22. In a synchronous selector train dispatching system, the combination with a bank of neutral channel selecting relays in a dispatchers oflice, another neutral bank of channel selecting relays at a way station, of a stepping circuit including a line relay at saidway station, an ofiice relay operating in synchronism with said line relay, an organization of circuits and contacts of said relays at said dispatchers office and at said way station for causing simultaneous energization of the first relay of the neutral bank at said dispatchers oflice and at the first relay of the neutral bank of relays at said way station when said line relay is energized by current of one polarity, and for causing simultaneous energization of the second relay of said dispatchers ofiice neutral bank'and the second relay of the way station neutral bank when said line relay is energized by current of the. reverse polarity, and a plurality of channel circuits each including the same line wire and contacts of corresponding channel selecting relays of the dispatchers relay bank and said way station relay bank.

23. In a centralized traific controlling system, the combination with one circuit for transmitting impulses from a control office to a plurality of way stations, of a message wire connecting said oflice and said way stations, a particular message circuit including said message wire, a two-position relay energized to be operated to a particular position during a particular impulse in a cycle applied to said one circuit providing a contact in said particular message circuit is closed, and means for operating said relay to the opposite position just prior to the control of said relay by said contact, whereby said relay assumes one position substantially continuously if said contact is closed and assumes the opposite position continuously if said contact is open.

24. In a centralized trafiic controlling system, the combination with a message wire connecting two stations, selector means located partly at each said station and operable through a cycle of operation at a particular point in which a message circuit is closed including a contact at one said station, a two-position relay located at the other said station and arranged to be operated to a particular position upon closure of said circuit, and other means for operating said relay to its opposite position at a point in such cycle just preceding said particular point, whereby said relay substantially continuously assumes a position corresponding to whether said contact is open or closed.

25. In a centralized trafiic controlling system, thecombination with a message wire connecting two stations, selectormeans located partly at each station and operable through a cycle of operation at a particular point in which a message circuit is closed including a contact located at one station and a source of current, a twoposition relay located at the other station and arranged to be operated to a particular position upon closure of said circuit, and other means for operating said relay to its opposite position.

26. In a centralized trafiic controlling system, the combination with a message wire connecting two stations, selector means located partly at each said station and operable through a cycle of operation at a particular point in which a message circuit is closed including a contact at one said station, a two-position relay located at the other said station and arranged to be operated to a particular position upon closure of said circuit, and other means for operating said relay to its opposite position at a point in such cycle just preceding said particular point whereby said relay substantially continuously assumes a position corresponding to whether said contact is open or closed.

27. In a centralized traffic controlling system, the combination with a message wire connecting two stations, selector means located partly at each said station and operable through a cycle of operation at a particular point in which a message circuit is closed including a contact at one said station, a two-position relay located at the other station and arranged to be operated to a particular position upon closure of said circuit, and other means for operating said relay to its opposite position.

28. In a centralized traffic controlling system, the combination with a message wire connecting two stations, selector means located partly at each said station and operable through a cycle of operation at a particular point in which a message circuit is closed including a contact at one said station, a two-position relay located at the other station and arranged to be operated to a particular position upon closure of said circuit, and means including a local source of current at said other station for invariably moving said relay to its opposite position just prior to the point in said cycle when said relay is governed by said contact.

29. A centralized traffic controlling system comprising two stations connected by a line circuit, a contact located at one station, a two-position relay located at the other station, selector means located partly at each station and operable over said line circuit through a cycle of operation at a particular point in which said relay is moved to a particular position, and other means for subsequently operating said relay to its opposite position provided said contact is closed.

30. Means for substantially continuously indicating whether or not a contact is closed located at the remote end of an intermittently rendered available circuit, comprising a two-position relay, means for operating said relay to a particular position each time said circuit is rendered available and said contact is closed, and other means for operating said relay to the opposite position an instant before such relay is governed by said contact.

31. Means for substantially continuously indicating whether or not a contact is closed located at the remote end of an intermittently rendered available circuit, comprising a two-position relay, means for operating said relay to a particular position each time said circuit is rendered available and said contact is closed, and other means for operating said relay to the opposite position just before such relay is governed by said contact.

32. Means for substantially continuously indicating whether or not a contact is closed located at the remote end of an intermittently rendered available circuit comprising, a two-position relay and a source of current at the local end of said circuit for operating said relay to a particular position each time said circuit is rendered available and said contact is closed, and other means for operating said relay to the opposite position just before such relay is governed by said contact.

33. In combination with a railway track switch, two main signals for governing traffic in opposite directions over said switch in one position, two auxiliary signals for governing trafiic in opposite directions over said switch in the other position, a first stick relay having an armature and two fixed contacts, a first circuit controller responsive to the position of said switch for connecting one contact of said stick relay with the main signal or the auxiliary signal governing traffic in one direction, a second circuit controller responsive to the position of said switch for connecting the other contact of said stick relay with the main signal or the auxiliary signal governing traffic in the opposite direction, a second stick relay for selectively supplying current to the armature of said first stick relay, means for controlling said first and second stick relays from a remote point, and means for controlling each said signal by traffic conditions in advance of such signal.

34. In combination with a stretch of railway track, two signals for governing traffic in opposite directions through said stretch, a first stick relay having an armature and two contacts, means for connecting said two contacts with said tWo signals respectively, a second stick relay for selectively supplying current to the armature of said first stick relay, and means controlled from a remote point for independently controlling said first and second stick relays.

35. In a synchronous selector system comprising a central ofiice and a plurality of way stations connected by a normally open line circuit, a master synchronous selector at said ofiice including a series of contacts closed in sequence and a pair of line contacts closed alternately, a synchronous selector at each of said stations including a centrally biased three position polar line relay and a series of contacts closed in sequence by said relay when energized by consecutive impulses of alternating polarity, and means controllable from said office or from any station for closing said line and for setting said master selector into operation to impress impulses of alternating polarity on said line, whereby said ofiice selector contacts are closed in sequence and in synchronism with corresponding station selector contacts at each station.

36. A synchronous selector comprising a control ofiice and a plurality of way stations connected by a normally open line circuit, a master synchronous selector at said office including a series of contacts adapted to be closed in sequence and a line pole changer, a synchronous selector at each of said stations including a centrally biased three position polar line relay and a series of contacts adapted to be closed in sequence by said relay when energized by consecutive impulses of selected polarity, means controllable from said ofilce or from any station for connecting said pole changer to said line and for energizing it repeatedly to transmit to said line a series of impulses each of selected polarity to actuate all of said selectors in synchronism, and means effective when the last contact of said series is operated and controlled by the ofiice selector to deenergize said pole changer and to disconnect said pole changer from the line.

3'7. In combination with a line circuit, a selector of the relay chain type comprising a polar relay and a series of counting relays, means for energizing each counting relay in turn when said line circuit is repeatedly energized comprising a circuit for the first counting relay including a contact closed when said polar relay occupies a first position, a circuit for each even numbered counting relay closed when said polar relay occupies a second position and including a front contact of the next preceding odd numbered counting relay, a circuit for each succeeding odd numbered counting relay including the first named contact of said polar relay and a front contact of the next preceding even numbered relay, and means for repeatedly actuating said polar relay contact between said two positions in response to repeated energization of said line circuit.

38. A railway traffic indicating system comprising a control ofiice and a remote station connected by a first and a second line circuit, a synchronous selector at said station adapted to be controlled from the oflice over said first line circuit, a second synchronous selector at the ofiice adapted to be operated in synchronism with said station selector, a plurality of devices at said station, means responsive to a change in position of any station device and controlled over said second line circuit to set said synchronous selectors into operation, and means controlled by said synchronous selectors over said second line circuit to indicate the condition of each of said station devices at'said oflice.

39. A centralized traffic controlling system for railroads comprising a control ofiice and a plurality of stations, a stepping line circuit and a message line circuit extending from said. oiiice to each of said stations, a plurality of mechanisms at each station, a starting relay at the oflice, means at each station for actuating the starting relay over the message line circuit in response to a change in condition of any of the mechanisms at said station, a polarized line relay at each station included in said stepping line circuit, means operating when said starting relay is actuated to supply said stepping line circuit with a series of impulses each operating said line relays in unison to one position or the other, and means controlled over the message line circuit by said line relays for indicating at said office the changed condition of any of said mechanisms.

40. A centralized trafiic controlling system for railroads comprising a control office and a plurality of stations, a stepping line circuit and a message line circuit extending from said oflice to each of said stations, a plurality of'mechanisms one at each station, a starting relay at the office, means operating over said message line circuit in response to a change in the condition of any said mechanism for actuating said starting relay, a polarized linerelay at each station included in said step-ping line circuit,.means operating when said starting relay is actuated to supply said stepping line circuit with a series of impulses each operating said line relays in unison to one position or the other, and means controlled over the message line circuit by said line relays for indicating at said office the conditions of all of said mechanisms in order.

41. Control means for controlling a starting signal governing the entrance of trafilc into a single track section and, controlling a leaving signal governing the movement of trafiic out of such single track section comprising, a double throw contactor cooperating with two stationary contacts connected respectively with said starting signal and with said leaving signal, a second contactor for applying energy to said double throw contactor, and means for independently controlling said contactors from a remote point.

42. In combination, a track switch connecting the end of a passing siding to a single track section, two starting signals and two entering signals governing respectively the movement of traffic into and out of said single track section, a starting signal branch circuit, an entering signal branch circuit, a double throw contactor controlled in accordance with the position of said track switch for connecting said starting signal branch circuit to one or the other of said starting signals, a second double throw contactor controlled in accordance with the position of said track switch for connecting said entering signal branch circuit to one or the other of said entering signals, a third double throw contactor for applying electrical energy to one or the other of said two branch circuits, and a fourth contactor for cutting energy ofi said third contact and controlled from a remote point.

l3. In combination, a track switch connecting the end of a passing siding to a single track section, two starting signals, two entering signals governing respectiveiy the movement of trafilc into and out of said single track section, a starting signal branch circuit, an entering signal branch circuit, a double throw contactor controlled in accordance with the position of said track switch for connecting said starting signal branch circuit to one or the other of said starting signals, a second double throw contactor controlled in accordance with the position of said track switch for connecting said entering signal branch'circuit to one or the other of said entering signals, a third double throw contactor for applying electrical energy to one or'the other of said two branch circuits, a fourth contactor for cutting off said electrical energy, a fifth contactor for controlling said track switch to either of its two extreme positions; selector means for controlling said third, said fourth and said fifth contactor from a remote point; and means for further controlling the particular signal selected in accordance with traffic conditions ahead of such signal.

44. In combination with an office and a plurality of stations, a line relay at each station, a normally open line circuit extending from the office to each station and including all-said line relays, a normally closed line circuit extending from said ofiice to each of said stations, apparatus operating when said normally closed line circuit is opened to close said normally open line circuit and deliver to such line circuit a series of current impulses for operating said line relays, a first chain of relays at the office operated in succession by said apparatus, other chains of relays one at each station, means controlled by each line relay for operating the relays of the associated chain successively and in synchronism with said first chain, and means at each station for opening said normally closed line circuit.

45. In combination with an oii'ice and a plurality of stations, a line relay at each station, a normally open line circuit extending from the ofiice to each station and including all said line relays, a normally closed line circuit extending from said oifice to each of said stations, and including a relay L at the office, apparatus at the office operating when relay L becomes deenergized to close said normally open line circuit and deliver thereto a series of current impulses for operating said line relays, a first chain of relays at the ofiice operated in succession by said apparatus, other chains of relays one at each station, means controlled by each line relay for operating the relays of the associated chain successively and in synchronism with said first chain, and means at each station for opening said normally closed line circuit.

46. A centralized traffic controlling system for railroads comprising an ofiice and a plurality of field stations, a starting device at the office, means at the office and at each station for operating said starting device, a series of contacts at each of said stations, means controlled by said starting device for synchronously operating the contacts of all of saidseries through two complete cycles, a transfer relay at each station, means for energizing each said transfer relay during the second but not the first cycle of operation of said contacts, two sets of apparatus at each station, and means controlled by each said transfer relay for placing one set of apparatus at the correspondingstation under the control of the associated contacts during the first cycle of operation and for placing the other set of apparatus at such station under the control of the associated contacts during the second cycle of operation.

47. A centralized trafiic controlling system for railroads comprising an office and a plurality of field stations, a starting device at the oilice,

all)

means at the office and at each station for operating said starting device, a chain of counting relays at each of said stations, means controlled by said starting device for synchronously operating the relays of all of said chains through two complete cycles, a transfer relay at each station, means for energizing each said transfer relay during the second but not the .first cycle of operation of said chains, two sets of apparatus at each station, and means controlled by each said transfer relay for placing one set of apparatus at the corresponding station under the control of the associated counting relays during the first cycle of said chains and for placing the other set of apparatus at such station under the control of the associated counting relays during the second cycle of such chains.

48. In combination with an office and a station connected by a line circuit, a polarized line relay at the station included in said line circuit, means at the ofiice for at times supplying said line circuit intermittently with current impulses of selected polarity, a slow acting relay arranged to be ener-- gized when said line relay is energized in either direction, stepping means at the office, and means effective if and only if said slow acting relay is energized to advance said stepping means progressively in response to periodic operations of said line relay.

49. In combination with an oflice and a station connected by a normally open line circuit, a polarized line relay at the station included in said line circuit, a slow-acting relay arranged to be energized when said line relay is energized in either direction but to be deenergized when said line relay is deenergized, means at the office for at times closing said line circuit and supplying the circuit intermittently with current impulses of selected polarity, stepping means at the station, and means effective when said slow acting relay is energized for operating said stepping means progressively in response to repeated operations of said line relay.

50. In a synchronous selector system comprising a central office and a plurality of way stations connected by a line circuit, a centrally biased three position polar line relay included in series in said line circuit at each station, a starting relay at the oflice, means for operating said starting relay from the office or from any station, a pair of stepping windings at said ofiice, means effective when said starting relay is operated for energizing said stepping windings alternately, a synchronous selector at the ofiice and at each station, means responsive to alternate energization of said stepping windings for actuating said office selector in step by step fashion and for delivering to said line circuit a series of impulses of alternatelyopposite polarity,and means at each station responsive to said series of impulses to operate the selector at such station in synchronism with the selector at the office.

51. The combination, with a control relay and means for operating such control relay repeatedly, of means for closing a series of contacts consecutively in response to such repeated operation of the control relay comprising a series of similar counting relays each having a release period greater than its pickup period less than the interval between consecutive operations of the control relay, a pickup circuit for each counting relay controlled by the control relay and by the preceding counting relay in said series, and a holding circuit for each counting relay including a contact of the control relay, whereby if any one counting relay is deenergized'and the next succeeding counting relay is energized, such next relay will pick up before such one relay releases.

52. A selector of the counting relay type comprising a line relay having a pair of contacts connected with a source of energy and adapted to be closed alternately, a plurality of counting relays arranged in order; a circuit for each odd numbered counting relay except the first including the winding of said relay and, in multiple, a front contact of said relay and a front contact of the next preceding counting relay, and in series therewith a contact of said line relay closed when such line relay assumes one position and said source of energy; a circuit for each even numbered counting relay including the winding of said relay and, in multiple, a front contact of said relay and a front contact of the next preceding counting relay and in series therewith a contact of said line relay closed when such line relay assumes another position and said source of energy; whereby each counting relay in turn is energized and deenergized; and means associated with each counting relay for holding it picked up until the next counting relay is picked up.

53. A selector of the counting relay type comprising a line relay and a series of counting relays, a pickup circuit for the first counting relay including a contact of the line relay and a contact of an auxiliary relay for picking up said first counting relay only during the first operation 01' the line relay, a pickup circuit for each remaining counting relay including a contact of the line relay and a contact of the next preceding counting relay but not including a contact of said 3 auxiliary relay, a source of energy, means for operating said line relay to connect said source of energy successively to said pickup circuits to energize each of said counting relays in turn, and means for holding each counting relay picked up until the next succeeding counting relay picks up but for releasing it before the second succeeding counting relay picks up, whereby no two even numbered counting relays nor any two odd numbered counting relays are energized at the same time.

54. A selector of the counting relay type comprising a line relay, a plurality of counting relays arranged in a closed chain for operation consecutively through repeated cycles, and operating circuits for said counting relays including a pickup circuit for the first counting relay closed by the first only of a series of operations of the line relay, a pickup circuit for each remaining counting relay each controlled by the line relay i and by the preceding counting relay, a second pickup circuit for the first counting relay controlled by the line relay and by a front contact of the last counting relay in the series, and means associated with each counting relay for holding such relay picked up until the next succeeding relay is picked up by the next operation of the line relay.

55. A centralized trafiic controlling system for railroads comprising a series of field stations along the track and a control office, railway traffic governing apparatus at each said station, a line circuit connecting each of said stations with said ofiice, a selector relay at each station, a selector relay for each station at said office, means controlled over said line circuit for simultaneously energizing the selector relay at any station and the corresponding station selector relay at the office, an auxiliary relay at the office and at each station, means for controlling all said auxiliary relays from the 'oflice, means controlled by the two energized selector relays when the auxiliary relays are in one position for effecting the control of the traflic governing apparatus at the associated station in accordance with the position of control levers assigned to said station at the ofiice, .and other means controlled by the two energized selector relays when the auxiliary relays are in another position for indicating at the oflice the condition of the traffic governing apparatus at the associated station.

56. A synchronous selector train dispatching systemcomprising an office and a plurality of stations, a synchronous selector at the oflice and at each station, a centrally biased three position polar relay at each station, means for actuating the selector at the ofiice and for successively operating all said polar relays to predetermined positions, and means controlled by each polar relay and responsive to successive operations thereof for actuating the associated sta tion selector in synchronism with the ofiice selector but for releasing such associated selector if the polar relay remains in its biased position for more than a predetermined interval of time. 5'7. A synchronous selector train dispatching system comprising an office and a plurality of stationsconnected by a line circuit, a centrally biased three position polar line relay at each station included in said line circuit, a synchronous selector at said office and at each station, a two position relay device at the ofiice, means for re peatedly operating said relay device to actuate the ofiice selector and to repeatedly energize said line circuit with currents of selected polarity, a slow release relay controlled by each said line relay, means controlled by each line relay for actuating the associated station selector in synchronism with the oi-lice selector, and means for releasing each station selector if the associated slow release relay becomes released.

58. A synchronous selector train dispatching system comprising an'ofiice and a plurality of stations connected by a line circuit, a centrally biased three position polar line relay at each station included in said line circuit, a synchronous selector at said office and at each station, a two position relay device at the ofiice, means for repeatedly operating said relay device to actuate the oflice selector and to repeatedly energize said line circuit with currents of selected polarity, a slow release relay controlled by each said line relay, means at each station for progressively actuating the selector at that station in response to successive operation of the associated line relay by currents of predetermined polarity, .and means for restoring each station selector to its original condition if the corresponding slow release relay becomes released.

59. In a centralized trafiic controlling system for railroads, a station selector comprising a centrally biased three position polar line relay, a slow release relay energized by said line relay in either of its two energized positions but not in its biased position, a series of counting relays even numbered relay, and the same contact of the line relay, a pickup circuit for each even numbered counting relay including a front contact of the preceding odd numbered counting relay, means for maintaining each counting relay in energized condition until the next relay picks up and then releasing it, and means for supplying said line relay with line current periodically alternating in polarity.

60. In 'a centralized traflic controlling system for railroads, a station selector comprising a normally deenergized three position polar line relay, a series of counting relays, means for energizing the first counting relay by said line relay when the latter is first energized, means for energizing each succeeding odd numbered counting relay in turn over the same contact of the line relay and the front contact of the preceding even numbered relay, means for energizing each even numbered relay when said line relay is energized in the opposite direction over an opposite contact of said line relay and the front contact of the preceding odd numbered relay, means for supplying said line relay with line current periodically alternating in polarity to energizesaid counting relays consecutively, means for holding each relay picked up until the next relay is picked up, said last named means being responsive to the deenergization of said line relay to release said counting chain, and means also responsive to the deenergization of said line relay to again connect the first counting relay to the contact of said line relay closed first when said line relay is again energized for a subsequent series of operations.

61. In combination with a movable device, a relay, transmitting means effective when operated to produce a message the character of which depends upon the position of said device, starting means efiective when said relay and said device disagree in position to operate said transmitting means, and means controlled by said transmitting means and efiective only if the message produced is of the character determined by said device to operate said relay into agreement with said device.

62. In combination with a movable device, a relay, transmitting means eiiective when operated to produce a message the character of which depends upon the position of said device, starting means effective when said relay and said device disagree in position to operate said transmitting means, and means controlled by said transmitting means and effective upon the conclusion of a message only if such message was of the character determined by said device to operate said relay into agreement with said device.

63. In combination with a movable device, a relay, a movable member responsive to the position of said device, transmitting means efiective when operated to produce a message the character of which is determined by said movable member, starting means effective when said relay and said movable member disagree in position to operate said transmitting means, and means responding uniquely to a message of the character determined by said movable member to operate said relay into agreement with said movable member.

64. In combination with a movable device, a relay, a movable member operated in response to a change in the position of said device, transmitting means efiective when operated to produce a message the character of which is determined by said movable member, starting means effective to operate said transmitting means when said relay and said movable member disagree in position irrespective of the position then occupied by said device, and means responsive to a message from said transmitting means for operating said relay.

65. In a train dispatching system of the wayside signal control type, the combination with a large number of wayside signals located along the railway track and each controlled by trafiic conditions ahead, of means for controlling said signals distinctively over the same line wires comprising, a bank of relays in the dispatchers oflice, a bank of relays at each of a plurality of way stations, means for operating the relays of each bank sequentially in a particular order and over an uninterrupted line circuit in such a way that corresponding relays of all the banks are operated synchronously and so that corresponding relays of all banks at all times assume corresponding positions, and a plurality of message circuits for controlling said signals closed sequentially and each including the same line wire and controlled by contacts of corresponding relays of the dispatchers office bank and a particular way station bank.

66. In a train dispatching system of the wayside signal control type, the combination with a large number of wayside signals located along the railway track, of means for controlling said signals distinctively over the same line Wires comprising, a bank of channel selecting relays in the dispatchers office, a bank of channel se lecting relays at each of a plurality of way stations, normally inactive stepping means including an uninterrupted wire running from the ofiice to each way station for operating the relays of each bank sequentially in a particular order in such a way that corresponding relays of all banks are operated synchronously and so that corresponding relays of all banks at all times assume corresponding positions, means controllable from any way station and from said dispatchers office for rendering said stepping means active to operate said channel selecting relays through a. specific number of cycles of operation, and a plurality of message circuits for controlling said signals closed sequentially and each including the same line wire and controlled by contacts of corresponding relays of the dispatchers office bank and a particular way station bank.

67. In a train dispatching system of the Wayside signal control type, the combination with a large number of wayside signals located along the railway track, of means for controlling said signals distinctively over but two line Wires and a common wire comprising, a bank of channel selecting relays in the dispatchers ofiice, a bank of channel selecting relays at each of a. plurality of way stations, normally inactive stepping means for operating the relays of each bank sequentially in a particular order in such a way that corresponding relays of all banks are operated synchronously and so that corresponding relays of all banks at all times assume corresponding positions, means for rendering said stepping means active to operate said channel selecting relays through a specific plural number of cycles of operation, a plurality of message circuits for transmitting indications and controlling signals each including the same line wire and controlled by contacts of corresponding relays of the dispatchers oifice bank and a particular way station bank.

68. In a dispatching system, a dispatchers office, a plurality of stations, station selecting means including a line circuit extending to the several stations for establishing communication between the dispatchers oifice and the several stations only one at a time, said means being normally inactive in an initial condition, a device in the dispatchers ofiice for starting said means into operation, and means controlled over said line circuit for establishing partial circuits at each station for the control of said starting device.

69. In a dispatching system for railroads, a dispatchers oflice, a plurality of way stations, a stepping circuit connecting the dispatchers office with the several stations, means for energizing said stepping circuit with impulses of different polarities, a bank of neutral stepping relays at each station, each stepping relay having a pick-up circuit controlled by the front contact of the next preceding relay in the bank, means controlled by impulses on said stepping circuit for alternately energizing the pick-up circuits for alternate stepping relays of said bank, a message circuit connecting the dispatchers office and said stations, and means governed by said stepping relays for controlling the energization of said message circuit at successive time intervals corresponding with the energization of said stepping circuit.

70. In a dispatching system for railroads, a dispatchers ofiice, a plurality of way stations, devices at each station having different operated conditions to be indicated in the dispatchers office, a bank of neutral stepping relays at each station, means for operating said stepping relays sequentially, a message circuit extending from the dispatchers office to the several stations, and means for rendering said devices at said stations efiective only one station at a time to control the energization of said message circuit.

71. In a dispatching system for railroads, a dispatchers oifice, a plurality of way stations, devices at each station having different operated conditions to be indicated in the dispatchers office, a message circuit and a stepping circuit connecting the dispatchers ofiice to the several stations, means in the dispatchers oflice for energizing said stepping circuit with time-spaced impulses, a bank of neutral relays at each station operated sequentially one at a time by the impulses of said stepping circuit, and means for rendering said devices at said stations efiective only one station at a time to control the energization of said message circuit after each stepping operation of said bank of relays.

72. In a system for governing traflic on railroads from a central ofiice, a field station, a stepping circuit and a message circuit connecting the field station and the central office, normally inactive impulsing means in the central office operable to energize said stepping circuit with time-spaced impulses, a bank of normally deenergized neutral stepping relays at said central office and said field station, means for energizing said stepping relays in said banks sequentially one at a time and in synchronism as said impulses are applied to the stepping circuit, a device at the field station having different operated conditions to be indicated in the central office, indication registration means in the central office, said banks of stepping relays acting to establish concurrently a circuit at the field station for rendering said device effective to control the energization of said message circuit and a circuit in the central oifice for rendering said indication registration means responsive to such energization of the message circuit, and means actuated by a change in the operated condition of said device for initiating the operation of said impulsing means.

73. A selector of the relay type comprising a series of counting relays, a control relay normally at rest and having a pair of contacts closed alternately when said relay is operated repeatedly, a normally deenergized slow-release relay governed by the control relay and held in its energized position when the control relay is operated repeatedly, and operating circuits for said counting relays the circuits for consecutive relays being connected alternately to the said pair of contacts of said control relay and each except the first including a front contact of the preceding counting relay, the operating circuit for said first counting relay including a contact closed only when such normally energized relay is released whereby the first counting relay will be picked up only upon the first operation of said control relay after a period of rest and the succeeding counting relays will operate in order upon repeated operation of the control relay. 7

'74. In combination with a control relay having a pair of contacts closed alternately when the relay is operated repeatedly, means for operating said control relay repeatedly through a series of operations, a normally deenergized slow release relay governed by said control relay and held in its energized position when the control relay is operated repeatedly, a chain of counting relays, operating circuits for said counting relays the circuits for consecutive relays including alternate ones of said pair of contacts of the control relay and each except the first including a front contact of the preceding counting relay, and means effective when said normally deenergized relay is released for placing the first counting relay under the control of the control relay, whereby the first counting relay will be energized upon the first of a series of operations of the control relay and the i remaining counting relays will be energized in sequence upon succeeding operations in said series.

'75. A centralized traific controlling system for railroads including an office and a station, a three-position signal control lever at the oifice, a plurality of direct current polar relays of the stick type at the station, opposing signals at said station, operating circuits for said signals each including in series contacts of all said polar relays, and means for positioning each of said polar relays by momentary current impulses of current under the control of said lever for clearing a selected one of said signals or for placing all said signals at stop depending upon the position of the lever.

'76. A centralized trafiic controlling system for railroads including an ofiice and a station, a three-position signal control lever at the oflice, a two-position switch lever at the oilice, a starting key at the office, a railway switch at the station and signals for governing trafiic over said switch in opposite directions, three relays of the stick type at the station for governing said switch and signals, communication apparatus connecting said office and station, means responsive to a momentary operation of said starting key to initiate an operation of said communication apparatus during which one of said relays is caused to assume a position in agreement with the switch lever to operate the switch to a corresponding position, and the other two stick relays are caused to assume positions to clear a particular signal depending upon the extreme position occupied by the signal lever or to place all signals at stop if a signal lever is in its intermediate position.

77. In combination with line wires, amovable device, a stop relay normallyagreeinginposition with said device, transmitting means set into operation in response to a disagreement between said device and said relay for delivering a code to said line wires, and means effective upon the completion of said code for operating said stop relay into agreement with said device.

'78. A selective train dispatching system for transmitting distinctive messages from one station to another remote station, comprising a group of movable devices at one station, each device having at least two operative positions in each of which a distinctive control contact is closed, means associated with each device efiective when said device is moved from one operative position to another position to initiate the transmission of a distinctive message to said remote station, means including the closed control contact of such device for completing the transmission of said distinctive message, and means at said remote station selectively responsive to said distinctive message.

'79. Remote controlling apparatus comprising a movable device capable of assuming two positions, a relay having an armature normally in agreement with said device, means operating when said device is moved out of agreement with said armature to transmit a code signal to a remote point, means responsive to said code signal for moving said armature into agreement with said device, and indication means at said remote point controlled by said code signal in accordance with the position of said device.

80. Remote controlling apparatus comprising a movable device capable of assuming two positions, a relay having an armature normally in agreement with said device, means operating when said device is moved out of agreement with said armature to transmit to a remote point a code signal made up of a plurality of code elements, means responsive to a predetermined element of said code to move said armature into agreement with said device, and indication means at said remote point controlled by said code signal in accordance with the position of said device.

81. In a centralized trafiic controlling system for railroads, a line circuit, a section of railway track provided with a track circuit, a first relay controlled in accordance with the condition of said track circuit, transmitting means operating when actuated to deliver to the line circuit an indication of the condition of the track circuit, a second relay controlled in accordance with the indication last transmitted to the line circuit, and means controlled by said first and second relays and eiiective when the condition of the track circuit disagrees with the indication last transmitted to actuate said transmitter.

82. A selector of the counting relay type comprising a control relay, a plurality of counting relays arranged in order, a pickup circuit for each odd numbered counting relay including a front contact of the next preceding relay and a contact of said control relay closed in one position, a pickup circuit for each even numbered counting relay including a front contact of the next preceding counting relay and a contact of said control relay closed in another position, and a stick circuit for each counting relay including a contact of said control relay.

LLOYD V. LEWIS. 

